Certification system

ABSTRACT

An electronic communications method includes receiving, by a device, an electronic communication. The electronic communications method further includes analyzing, by the device, the electronic communications. The electronic communications method further includes generating, by the device, an electronic authentication certificate. The electronic communications method further includes sending a second electronic communication to another device that indicates that an electronic authentication certificate is generated for a particular electronic entity.

BACKGROUND

A number of online electronic entities are involved in variouselectronic transactions that allow for different users to interact witheach other via one or more electronic transactions. However, there maybe issues relating to whether one user can trust another user and expectthe requirements of one or more electronic transactions to be fulfilled.Accordingly, an electronic platform may overcome these shortcomings andallow different users to be given a guarantee that the requirements ofone or more electronic transactions to be fulfilled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C is a diagram of an example environment in which systemsand/or methods described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a network environment; an example computingdevice;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example computing device;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example process for authenticatinginformation;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example process for searching for certifiedelectronic entities;

FIG. 6 is an example database structure that stores electronicinformation about certified electronic entities;

FIG. 7 is an example database structure that stores electronicinformation about certified and non-certified electronic entities; and

FIGS. 8-11 are example diagrams for an electronic platform for searchingand electronically communicating with certified electronic entities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements.

Systems, devices, and/or methods described herein may allow for a user,using an electronic application implemented on a computing device (e.g.,smartphone, laptop, etc.) that allows the user to interact withelectronic entities that have been certified by a third-party whereinthe user does not interact with the third-party. For example, anelectronic entity may want to conduct electronic transactions over acommunication channel (e.g., Internet, cellular network, etc.). Toincrease the number of electronic transactions, the online electronicentity may determine that it should be authenticated and certified by athird-party. In doing so, the online electronic entity may sendelectronic information to the third-party. Accordingly, the third-partymay electronically analyze the electronic information and determinewhether to authenticate the online electronic entity as a certifiedelectronic entity.

In the event that the third-party determines to authenticate theelectronic entity as a certified electronic entity, the information ofthe certified electronic entity may be stored in one or more servers.

By becoming authenticated by the third-party, the one or more serversmay be associated with an electronic application that allows for a userto search for certified electronic entities. In embodiments, theelectronic application may include an electronic search engine featurethat allows for a user to find certified electronic entities that haveparticular characteristics. Furthermore, non-certified electronicentities may become electronically associated with the certifiedelectronic entity and can also be searched within the electronicapplication. Additionally, the electronic application may also find oneor more periods of time in a particular geographic area that areassociated with the non-electronic entities.

Accordingly, the electronic application may provide one or moreelectronic processes that (1) determines an electronic authenticationprocess to certify an electronic entity, (2) interacts with one or moreservers that electronically stores information about certifiedelectronic entities, and (3) provides search capabilities toelectronically find one or more certified electronic entities andassociated non-certified electronic entities.

FIGS. 1A-1C describe an example process of certifying electronicentities, searching for certified electronic entities, andelectronically transacting with a certified electronic entity.

FIG. 1A shows an example process of certifying an electronic entity. Asshown in FIG. 1A, a user, associated with electronic entity A, requestselectronic authentication from electronic entity B. In embodiments, aswill be described in further figures, electronic entity A may sendinformation about the electronic entity that may include a name,geographic location, and other information. In embodiments, electronicentity B may receive the electronic information and use an electronicapplication to interact with an authentication server that processes theelectronic information and automatically determine whether toauthenticate electronic entity A. In this particular example, theauthentication server may authenticate electronic entity A and store theelectronic authentication certificate, for electronic entity A, in anauthentication server. Furthermore, the authentication server may send anotification to electronic entity B, via the electronic application,that certification occurs and electronic entity B may send an electronicmessage to electronic entity A that it is now a certified electronicentity. In embodiments, electronic entity B may further limit thecertification of electronic entity A based on the types of servicesand/or products offered by electronic entity A. For example, electronicentity A may sell mattresses and may only be authenticated and certifiedto offer bedding products similar to mattresses and not other types ofproducts, such as televisions or cars.

FIG. 1B shows an example process of searching for a certified electronicentity. As shown in FIG. 1B, a user may decide to search for a certifiedelectronic entity by using the electronic application. In doing so, theuser may use a computing device (e.g., a laptop, desktop computer, etc.)to electronically communicate, via the electronic application, with theauthentication server as described in FIG. 1A. In embodiments, the usermay enter electronic search information and the authentication servermay send electronic information that provides search results based onthe information received by the authentication server.

FIG. 1C shows an example process of electronically transacting with acertified electronic entity. As shown in FIG. 1C, the user (described inFIG. 1B) decides to interact with the entity A, via a computing device,which was designated as a certified electronic entity from the searchresults described in FIG. 1B. As further shown in FIG. 1C, the userrequests an electronic transaction with electronic entity A andelectronic entity A sends electronic information confirming anelectronic transaction. Accordingly, the user can be provided a near orexactly 100% probability that the electronic transaction and associatedtransactions will occur.

As such, a user never electronically interacts with entity B thatgenerated, via the electronic application, or outside the electronicapplication, the authentication certificate and only interacts withelectronic entity A. Thus, a user reduces the number of electronictransactions, the amount of computing resources (e.g., computer memory,processing power, etc.), and the amount of time and cost to determinethat the probability of a successful electronic transaction and relatedsuccessful transactions will be near to or 100%. Instead, a user can usean electronic application that searches for certified electronicentities (that have an electronic authentication certificate) and isable to electronically transact with one or more of those certifiedelectronic entities with a near to or 100% probability that the resultof the electronic communications and/or transactions will occur.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of example environment 100 in which systems,devices, and/or methods described herein may be implemented. FIG. 1shows network 110, user device 112, user device 114, user device 116,electronic application 118, and authentication server 120.

Network 110 may include a local area network (LAN), wide area network(WAN), a metropolitan network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., thePublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a Wireless Local AreaNetworking (WLAN), a WiFi, a hotspot, a Light fidelity (LiFi), aWorldwide Interoperability for Microware Access (WiMax), an ad hocnetwork, an intranet, the Internet, a satellite network, a GPS network,a fiber optic-based network, and/or combination of these or other typesof networks. Additionally, or alternatively, network 110 may include acellular network, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a secondgeneration (2G) network, a third generation (3G) network, a fourthgeneration (4G) network, a fifth generation (5G) network, and/or anothernetwork. In embodiments, network 110 may allow for devices describe inFIGS. 1 and 2 to electronically communicate (e.g., using emails,electronic signals, URL links, web links, electronic bits, fiber opticsignals, wireless signals, wired signals, etc.) with each other so as tosend and receive various types of electronic communications.

User device 112, 114, and/or 116 may include any computation orcommunications device that is capable of communicating with a network(e.g., network 110). For example, user device 112, user device 114, oruser device 116 may include a radiotelephone, a personal communicationssystem (PCS) terminal (e.g., that may combine a cellular radiotelephonewith data processing and data communications capabilities), a personaldigital assistant (PDA) (e.g., that can include a radiotelephone, apager, Internet/intranet access, etc.), a smart phone, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a camera, a personalgaming system, a television, a set top box, a digital video recorder(DVR), a digital audio recorder (DUR), a digital watch, a digital glass,or another type of computation or communications device.

User device 112, 114, and/or 116 may receive and/or display content. Thecontent may include objects, data, images, audio, video, text, files,and/or links to files accessible via one or more networks. Content mayinclude a media stream, which may refer to a stream of content thatincludes video content (e.g., a video stream), audio content (e.g., anaudio stream), and/or textual content (e.g., a textual stream). Inembodiments, an electronic application may use an electronic graphicaluser interface to display content and/or information via user device112, 114, and/or 116. User device 112, 114, and/or 116 may have a touchscreen and/or a keyboard that allows a user to electronically interactwith an electronic application. In embodiments, a user may swipe, press,or touch user device 112, 114, and/or 116 in such a manner that one ormore electronic actions will be initiated by user device 112, 114,and/or 116 via an electronic application.

User device 112, 114, and/or 116 may include a variety of applications,such as, for example, an e-mail application, a telephone application, acamera application, a video application, a multi-media application, amusic player application, a visual voice mail application, a contactsapplication, a data organizer application, a calendar application, aninstant messaging application, a texting application, a web browsingapplication, a location-based application (e.g., a GPS-basedapplication), a blogging application, and/or other types of applications(e.g., a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, etc.).

Electronic application 118 may be capable of interacting withauthentication server 120, user device 112, 114, and/or 116 toautomatically and electronically analyze electronic information anddetermine whether to electronically generate an electronic certificationof an electronic entity. In embodiments, additional electroniccertifications may be generated for particular products and/or servicesprovided by the electronic entity and not for the entire electronicentity. In embodiments, once electronic application 118 has generated anelectronic certification, electronic application may interact withauthentication server 120 and store electronic information about theelectronic certificate. In embodiments, electronic application 118 maybe used to search for electronic entities with an electroniccertificate—a certified electronic entity. In embodiments, electronicapplication 118 may be electronically configured and designed by using acomputing device, such as user device 112, 114, or 116. In embodiments,electronic application 118 may interact with application programminginterfaces (APIs) to obtain electronic information from other electronicapplications. In embodiments, electronic application 118 may beelectronically configured to show photos, video, text, icons, graphicalimages, buttons, emojis, and/or any other electronic information. WhileFIG. 2 shows electronic application 118 on user device 112, electronicapplication 118 can also be stored by user device 112, 114, 116, and/orauthentication server 120.

Authentication server 120 may include one or more computational orcommunication devices that gather, process, store, and/or provideinformation relating to one or more web pages or electronic pagesassociated with electronic application 126 that is searchable andviewable over network 110. While FIG. 2 shows an authentication server120 there may be additional authentication servers 120 associated withone or more electronic applications 118.

While FIG. 2 shows electronic application 118, there may be multipledifferent types of electronic applications 118 that each has their ownserver(s) that are similar to server 120.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of a device 300. Device 300may correspond to user device 112, 114, 116, and authentication server120. Alternatively, or additionally, user device 112, 114, 116, andauthentication server 120 may include one or more devices 300 and/or oneor more components of device 300.

As shown in FIG. 3, device 300 may include a bus 310, a processor 320, amemory 330, an input component 340, an output component 350, and acommunications interface 360. In other implementations, device 300 maycontain fewer components, additional components, different components,or differently arranged components than depicted in FIG. 3.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of device 300 mayperform one or more tasks described as being performed by one or moreother components of device 300.

Bus 310 may include a path that permits communications among thecomponents of device 300. Processor 320 may include one or moreprocessors, microprocessors, or processing logic (e.g., a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC)) that interprets and executes instructions. Memory 330may include any type of dynamic storage device that stores informationand instructions, for execution by processor 320, and/or any type ofnon-volatile storage device that stores information for use by processor320. Input component 340 may include a mechanism that permits a user toinput information to device 300, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a button,a switch, voice command, etc. Output component 350 may include amechanism that outputs information to the user, such as a display, aspeaker, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.

Communications interface 360 may include any transceiver-like mechanismthat enables device 300 to communicate with other devices and/orsystems. For example, communications interface 360 may include anEthernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, awireless interface, or the like.

In another implementation, communications interface 360 may include, forexample, a transmitter that may convert baseband signals from processor320 to radio frequency (RF) signals and/or a receiver that may convertRF signals to baseband signals. Alternatively, communications interface360 may include a transceiver to perform functions of both a transmitterand a receiver of wireless communications (e.g., radio frequency,infrared, visual optics, etc.), wired communications (e.g., conductivewire, twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, transmission line, fiber opticcable, waveguide, etc.), or a combination of wireless and wiredcommunications.

Communications interface 360 may connect to an antenna assembly (notshown in FIG. 3) for transmission and/or reception of the RF signals.The antenna assembly may include one or more antennas to transmit and/orreceive RF signals over the air. The antenna assembly may, for example,receive RF signals from communications interface 360 and transmit the RFsignals over the air, and receive RF signals over the air and providethe RF signals to communications interface 360. In one implementation,for example, communications interface 360 may communicate with network110.

As will be described in detail below, device 300 may perform certainoperations. Device 300 may perform these operations in response toprocessor 320 executing software instructions (e.g., computerprogram(s)) contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 230,a secondary storage device (e.g., hard disk, CD-ROM, etc.), or otherforms of RAM or ROM. A computer-readable medium may be defined as anon-transitory memory device. A memory device may include space within asingle physical memory device or spread across multiple physical memorydevices. The software instructions may be read into memory 330 fromanother computer-readable medium or from another device. The softwareinstructions contained in memory 2330 may cause processor 320 to performprocesses described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may beused in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement processes described herein. Thus, implementations describedherein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitryand software.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example process 400 for generating anelectronic certificate. In embodiments, example process 400 may beperformed by authentication server 120 receiving electronic informationfrom user devices 112, 114, and/or 116, via electronic application 118,as described in FIG. 1. In embodiments, any electronic certificationdetermined by FIG. 4 may be re-analyzed for re-certification on areal-time basis (e.g., based on continuous electronic transactioninformation based on new electronic communications or transactionsuccess rates) or may be re-analyzed after a particular period of time.

At step 402, authentication server 120 may receive electronicinformation about a name for an electronic entity. In embodiments,authentication server 120 may receive the electronic information from acomputing device associated with the electronic entity. In embodiments,authentication server 120 may interact with other servers, via network110, and determine whether the name of the electronic entity exists. Forexample, authentication server 120 may receive electronic informationthat includes the name “ABC Electronics.” Accordingly, authenticationserver 120 may send one or more electronic communications to otherservers and receive information about “ABC Electronics.” In embodiments,the electronic information may include email information and/or othertypes of contact information (e.g., phone number, mobile number, etc.).

At step 404, authentication server 120 may receive electronicinformation about a geographic location for an electronic entity. Inembodiments, authentication server 120 may receive the electronicinformation from a computing device associated with the electronicentity. In embodiments, authentication server 120 may electronicallycommunicate with other computing devices and/or servers to obtainelectronic information that matches the electronic entity's name andgeographic location.

At step 406, authentication server 120 may receive electronicinformation about products and/or services that are sold by theelectronic entity. In embodiments, the electronic entity may beassociated with an entity that has physical locations in one or morecountries around the world. In embodiments, authentication server 120may communicate with other computing devices and/or servers associatedwith the electronic entity to receive electronic information about thereal-time available products and services available in the electronicentity. In embodiments, authentication server 120 may receive theelectronic information from a computing device associated with theelectronic entity. In embodiments, authentication server 120 mayelectronically communicate with other computing devices and/or serversto obtain electronic information that matches the entity's name,geographic location, and the products and/or services sold by theelectronic entity.

At step 408, authentication server 120 may receive electronicinformation about any other certifications associated with theelectronic entity. In embodiments, authentication server 120 may receivethe electronic information from a computing device associated with theelectronic entity. In embodiments, authentication server 120 mayelectronically communicate with other computing devices and/or serversto obtain electronic information that matches the other certificationassociated with the electronic entity with one or more electronicinformation received in steps 402, 404, and/or 406. In embodiments, theelectronic information about the other certifications associated withthe electronic entity may include alphabetical and numerical informationand information about a governmental institution. In embodiments, theelectronic information may include a segment of time that thecertificate is valid, renewal information for the other certifications,and information about a grace period associated with renewing the othercertificates. In embodiments, this particular electronic certificationinformation may indicate to a customer the expiration of the validity ofan electronic certification and when the electronic entity can no longerperform electronic transactions.

At step 410, authentication server 120 may receive other electronicinformation about the electronic entity from electronic entities otherthan the electronic entity requesting authentication and certification.In embodiments, authentication server 210 may electronically communicatewith electronic entities to obtain electronic information that includesreviews, complaints, pending lawsuits, governmental investigations,product recalls, settled lawsuits, on-time shipping statistics, numberof employees, the names of registered employees, number of contractors,and/or any other information that has resulted in users becoming harmed,financially or physically, in their interactions with the electronicentity requesting authentication and certification. In embodiments, theinformation regarding registered employees will assist otherorganizations in preventing human trafficking, use of underage workers,and other types of slavery. In embodiments, the electronic entityrequesting certification (e.g., a governmental entity). may use thestored information to determine more effectively (e.g., using lesscomputing resources, electronic communications, etc.) to fulfill variouslaws relating to employment, taxation, immigration, and education sothat the economic output of a particular region (e.g., a city, aprovince, an entire country, etc.) can be increased. In embodiments, theelectronic information may also be used to allocate different taxationrates for different electronic entities based on product and/or serviceoffering, size of the electronic entity, etc.

At step 412, authentication server 120 may determine whether to generatean electronic certification and certify the electronic entity. Inembodiments, authentication server 120 may use one or electronicprocesses to determine the electronic certification. In embodiments,authentication server 120 may generate different levels ofcertification. For example, the lowest level of certification maydetermine that an electronic entity does exist and is located in aparticular geographic location. Another level of certification mayindicate that an electronic entity has no complaints or any past orcurrent lawsuits against the electronic entity in addition toauthentication of the electronic entity's name and geographic location.An additional level of certification may indicate that an electronicentity has positive reviews in addition to having no complaints (or acertain threshold level of complaints), no past or current lawsuitsagainst the electronic entity in addition to authentication of theelectronic entity's name and geographic location. Accordingly,electronic communications with a score is determined that is greater orlower than a particular threshold. In embodiments, the certification maybe based on a geographic location of the electronic entity. For example,the certification may only be provided if the electronic entity has aparticular number of physical locations within one or more differentgeographic locations. For example, if the electronic entity has nophysical locations (e.g., a building), than a different certificationmay be provided than an electronic entity that has physical locations.Accordingly, an electronic score may be generated based on the number ofphysical locations. In embodiments, the certification may only be for aparticular type of electronic transaction with the electronic entity.For example, the certification may only be for electronic transactionsbelow or greater than a particular threshold value. Additionally, oralternatively, the certification may only be for particular types ofproducts or services electronically (or physically) sold by theelectronic entity. For example, the electronic entity may distributeappliances and computers and is only certified for appliances. Inembodiments, the electronic certification may also have different levelbased on the time that the electronic entity has been in existence. Inembodiments, the certification may be based on one or more values thatare generated from scores based on product, geographic locations,electronic comments, shipping success rates, customer satisfaction,and/or any other information. In embodiments, the one or more values maybe lower or greater than a threshold to result in electronicauthentication.

In embodiments, authentication server 120 may determine not to providean electronic certificate for the electronic entity and, as such, notprovide an indication that the electronic entity is a certifiedelectronic entity. In embodiments, authentication server 120 maydetermine that one or more types of electronic information areassociated with an electronic score that is greater than a thresholdlevel that indicates that the electronic entity cannot provide near toor 100% probability of providing a product or service via one or moreelectronic transactions. Alternatively, authentication server 120 maydetermine that one or more types of electronic information areassociated with an electronic score that is lower than a threshold levelthat indicates that the electronic entity cannot provide near to or 100%probability of providing a product or service via one or more electronictransactions.

At step 414, authentication server 120 may store the electroniccertificate. In embodiments, the electronic certificate may be valid fora limited amount of time or may be valid for an unlimited amount oftime. In embodiments, when an electronic search is performed (asdescribed in FIG. 5) for a certified electronic entity, via electronicapplication 118, authentication server 120 may receive the searchrequest and send an electronic communication that includes theelectronic certificate. Alternatively, when an electronic search isperformed (as described in FIG. 5) for a certified electronic entity,via electronic application 118, authentication server 120 may receivethe search request and send an electronic communication that indicatesthat the electronic entity is not certified. In embodiments,authentication server 120 may send electronic information associatedwith an electronic certificate for display on a computing device. Theelectronic certificate may be graphic, a Quick Response (QR) code, orany other electronic format that can be selected by a user using a userdevice or computing device. In alternate embodiments, authenticationserver 120 may be accessed via a computing device and the electroniccertification can be converted to a paper format and can be displayed bya company or person in a physical location. In embodiments, theelectronic certificate may include information about the certifyingentity, period of validity of the certificate, geographic locations,number of employees, and/or any other information.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example process 500 for processing anelectronic search for certified electronic entities. In embodiments,example process 500 may be performed by authentication server 120receiving electronic information from user devices 112, 114, and/or 116,via electronic application 118, as described in FIG. 1.

At step 502, authentication server 120 may receive an electronic searchrequest for a certified electronic entity. In embodiments,authentication server 120 may receive the electronic search request viaelectronic application 118. At step 504, authentication server 120 mayelectronically search one or more electronic databases (e.g., such asFIGS. 6 and 7) for certified electronic entities that match theinformation in the electronic search request. At step 506,authentication server 120 may generate an electronic list of certifiedelectronic entities. At step 508, authentication server 120 may send theelectronic list of certified electronic entities for electronic displayon a computing device via electronic application 118.

FIG. 6 describes an example data structure 600 that storesauthentication information associated with electronic application 118.In embodiments, data structure 600 may include a collection of fieldssuch as Company Name 602, Certifying Entity 604, Product 606, andExchange System 608. Although FIG. 6 shows example fields 602-608, inother embodiments, data structure 600 may include fewer fields,different fields, additional fields, and/or differently arranged fieldsthan depicted in FIG. 6. In embodiments, authentication server 120 maystore some or all of data structure 600. Additionally, or alternatively,user device 112, 114, and/or 116 may store some or all of data structure600.

In embodiments, Company Name 602 may store an identifier for a certifiedelectronic entity. Company Name 602 may include one or more alphanumericsymbols (e.g., letters, numbers) and/or other types of symbols. Inembodiments, Company Name 602 may include an owner's name, or otherassociated contact information. In embodiments, the location of thecertified electronic entity may also be provided and may be used toelectronically search for any physical location associated with CompanyName 602 the certified electronic entity. In embodiments, CertifyingEntity 604 may store electronic information about which certifyingentities have used authentication server 120 to certify the electronicentity. In embodiments, Product 606 may store electronic informationabout products or services that may be obtained from the electronicentity by using one or more electronic communications. In embodiments,the price and product information may be in real-time and may beautomatically updated based on API's or other interfaces betweenauthentication server 120 and other servers that store price and productinformation. In embodiments, Exchange System 608 may store electronicinformation about electronic tokens that may be used to purchaseproducts and/or services from the certified electronic entity. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, Company XYZ may use Token 1 which may be anelectronic token that is only valid in particular or all geographiclocations. While not shown in FIG. 6, there be additional data fields,such as a data field indicating the number of employees associated witha particular company name.

FIG. 7 describes an example data structure 700 that stores non-certifiedentity information associated with a particular certified electronicentity. In embodiments, data structure 700 may include a collection offields such as Company Name 702, Product 704, Exchange System 706, andEvent 708. Although FIG. 7 shows example fields 702-708, in otherembodiments, data structure 700 may include fewer fields, differentfields, additional fields, and/or differently arranged fields thandepicted in FIG. 7. In embodiments, authentication server 120 may storesome or all of data structure 700. Additionally, or alternatively, userdevice 112, 114, and/or 116 may store some or all of data structure 700.

In embodiments, Company Name 702 may store electronic information abouta non-certified electronic entity that is associated with a certifiedelectronic entity. For example, a certified electronic entity could beCompany XYZ (as shown in FIG. 6) and the names as shown in Company Name702 may be all the non-certified electronic entity, such as VALA188,that is associated with Company XYZ. In embodiments, Company Name 702may store a person's name who is not incorporated but provides servicesand/or products. In embodiments, Product 704 may store electronicinformation about products and/or services sold by the certifiedelectronic entity. In embodiments, Product 704 may also include priceinformation about the products and/or services offered. In embodiments,the price and product information may be in real-time and/orautomatically be updated based on API's or other interfaces betweenauthentication server 120 and other servers that store price and productinformation. In embodiments, Product 704 may also be used to determinewhich products and/or services an electronic entity (as described inCompany Name 702) may be certified. In embodiments, Products 704 mayinclude an entry “ALL” which allows all products and/or serviceselectronically or physically offered by the company to be certified andauthenticated. In embodiments, Exchange System 706 may store electronicinformation about electronic tokens that may be used to purchaseproducts and/or services from the certified electronic entity. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 7, IGSI0085 may use Token 2 which may be anelectronic token that is only valid in particular or all geographiclocations. In embodiments, the electronic token may have a particularvalue that can be exchanged for goods, bit-coins and/or any formcurrency or can be stored for future exchange for goods and/or services.In embodiments, the electronic token can be stored in memory as bitsand/or bytes. In embodiments, electronic transactions associated withone or more electronic tokens may be stored in a different computingdevice or within a different database within the authentication server.In embodiments, Event 708 may associate a particular event (electronicor in the non-electronic world) with a non-certified electronic entityand/or a certified electronic entity. In embodiments, the event may bean exposition or conference or may be another electronic platform thatpromotes the non-certified electronic entity. As discussed in laterfigures, a user using electronic application 118 may be able toelectronically search for events that include one or more non-certifiedelectronic entities associated with a particular certified electronicentity.

FIGS. 8-11 are diagrams of example processes for using an electronicapplication for generating an electronic communications and to send anelectronic invite associated with an event, providing authenticationlogin information associated with another electronic application,participating in an event, generating an electronic list, andelectronically interacting with different electronic profiles listed onthe electronic list. In embodiments, the example process described inthe following figures may use one or more of the devices, networks, andelectronic applications described in FIGS. 2 and 3. Furthermore, inembodiments, the example processes described in the following figuresmay have one or more features described in the flowcharts and/or datastructure described in FIGS. 4 and 5. In embodiments, interactions withthe electronic application may require a user to log into the electronicapplication by using a special password or special identifier (e.g.,social security number).

FIG. 8 shows a screen shot 800 (on a user device 112, 114, or 116) ofelectronic application 702 which is similar to electronic application118, as described in FIG. 1. In embodiments, a user of a user device maydecide to use electronic application 702 that allows the user to searchfor a certified electronic entity. In FIG. 8, for example, John hasdecided to search for an electronic entity that sells electronics and isgeographically located in Japan. As shown in FIG. 8, John enters“Electronic, Japan” into area 704. In embodiments, the search term mayinclude only the product and/or service, or just include a geographiclocation. Upon using the user device to initiate (e.g., via a keyboard,mouse, touchscreen, voice command) a search, electronic application 702will display results. As shown in FIG. 8, results 706 include threecompanies that have been authenticated and certified by anauthentication server (e.g., authentication server 120). As shown inFIG. 8, the three companies are “Company ABC,” “GYYX AG,” and “CompanyLMN.” While FIG. 8 shows three results, a search result may providefewer or a greater number of certified electronic entities.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user may select one or more of icons 708 (and/orhyperlinks) to see additional information about a particular certifiedelectronic entity. In FIG. 9, screen shot 900 shows the user is shown asdeciding to select “Company ABC.” In doing so, FIG. 9 shows anelectronic display on electronic application 702 that shows additionalicons with additional information. In alternate embodiments, rather thanshowing icons, electronic application 702 may display all theinformation about “Company ABC.” In FIG. 9, electronically selectableicon Goods/Services 710 allows for John to view additional informationabout products provided by Company ABC. Furthermore, electronicallyselectable icon Reviews 712 allows for John to view additionalinformation about reviews by previous users who have electronicallytransacted with Company ABC. Electronically selectable icon Add Reviews714 allows for John to add reviews about Company ABC once an electronictransaction/communication has occurred with Company ABC. In embodiments,Add Reviews 714 may include two electronic communication processes—thefirst including comments before the electronic transaction, and, second,including comments after the electronic transactions. Accordingly, thismay allow for an electronic timeline that electronically displays inreal time how a user electronically interacted with a company from startto finish of the electronic transaction. In embodiments, electroniccomments before the electronic transaction may have a different score,for purposes of determining electronic certification, than a coreassociated with electronic comments that occur after the electronictransaction. Electronically selectable icon Sub-Entities 716 allows forJohn to select non-certified electronic entities associated with CompanyABC. And, electronically selectable icon Certifications 718 allows forJohn to find out which electronic entity has certified Company ABC. Inembodiments, processes 708-714 may be icons, images, and/or hyperlinks

John decides to select icon Sub-Entities 716. As shown in FIG. 10,screen shot 1000 shows sub-entities 722 are shown on the electronicdisplay. In embodiments, each sub-entity is an electronic entity that isassociated with a certified electronic entity (Company ABC in thisexample). In embodiments, each sub-entity does not obtain electroniccertification from the authentication server 120 based on a request froma third-party electronic entity. Instead, in embodiments, eachsub-entity is authenticated by the certified electronic entityindependently or based on previous electronic transactions. Inembodiments, the certified electronic entity may use authenticationserver 120 to certify a sub-entity. In embodiments, the sub-entity mayalso provide products or services that can be sold by initiatingelectronic communications and electronic transactions on FIG. 10.

John decides to find additional information LKI0448. By selecting theicon for LKI0048, John is then shown an electronic display, in FIG. 11,which electronically displays additional information about LKI0048. Asshown in FIG. 11, screen shot 1100 shows electronic application 702shows product information from LKI0048, areas of geographic service(e.g., where LKI0048 ships products to), and event information. Inembodiments, the product information may also include pricinginformation and that pricing information may change in real-time whilethe user is using electronic application 702. Thus, the user may beprovided with the best price of the product and/or service being offeredby a particular sub-entity.

It will be apparent that example aspects, as described above, may beimplemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardwarein the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual softwarecode or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspectsshould not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operation and behavior ofthe aspects were described without reference to the specific softwarecode—it being understood that software and control hardware could bedesigned to implement the aspects based on the description herein.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of the possible implementations. Infact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specificallyrecited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Althougheach dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one otherclaim, the disclosure of the possible implementations includes eachdependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

While various actions are described as selecting, displaying,transferring, sending, receiving, generating, notifying, and storing, itwill be understood that these example actions are occurring within anelectronic computing and/or electronic networking environment and mayrequire one or more computing devices, as described in FIG. 2, tocomplete such actions. Furthermore, it will be understood that thesevarious actions can be performed by using a touch screen on a computingdevice (e.g., touching an icon, swiping a bar or icon), using akeyboard, a mouse, or any other process for electronically selecting anoption displayed on a display screen to electronically communicate withother computing devices as described in FIG. 2. Also it will beunderstood that any of the various actions can result in any type ofelectronic information to be displayed in real-time and/orsimultaneously on multiple user devices (e.g., user device 112, 114,and/or 116).

It should also be understood that electronic communications betweenelectronic application 118 and other applications and/or servers mayinclude the electronic transfer of electronic tokens may result in (i)the change of a value stored in a computing device, server and/ordatabase based on one or more electronic communications, and/or (ii) thechange in the amount of memory storage of electronic bits in a computingdevice, server and/or database based on one or more electroniccommunications. While electronic communications between differentservers, computing devices, and application 118 may occur within anelectronic environment, some electronic communications may be associatedwith non-electronic communications. For example, an entity (e.g.,company or person) may not be an electronic entity and may requestauthentication information via paper mail, fax, etc. In embodiments, theauthentication may be done by the authentication server, but theinformation may be sent electronically or physically e.g. via mail. Inembodiments, once the authentication is done, an electronic certificatemay be viewed on a computing devices after being transferredelectronically, and/or consumers may view a physical certificate in aphysical non-electronic store without using a computing device.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described assuch. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include oneor more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Whereonly one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used.Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least inpart, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto,and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing fromthe broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims thatfollow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded inan illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic communications method, comprising:receiving, by a device, an electronic communication; analyzing, by thedevice, the electronic communication; generating, by the device, anelectronic authentication certificate; and sending a second electroniccommunication to another device that indicates that the electronicauthentication certificate is generated for a particular electronicentity; analyzing, by the device, new electronic information in realtime; re-certifying, by the device, the electronic authenticationcertificate based on the new electronic information; receivingadditional electronic information for a different electronic entity;determining, by the device, the different electronic entity consists ofmultiple sub-entities, wherein each of the multiple sub-entities arecompanies and the multiple sub-entities include a first sub-entity, asecond sub-entity, and a third sub-entity; analyzing the additionalelectronic information; certifying some of the multiple sub-entitiesbased on analyzing the additional electronic information, wherein thecertifying: is based on reaching a particular threshold value, and isnot based on comparing different sub-entities to other sub-entities in aranking;  wherein:  a first sub-entity has a first level ofcertification that is based on analyzing first electronic informationabout the existence of the first sub-entity and a geographic location ofthe first sub-entity,  a second sub-entity has a second level ofcertification that is based analyzing second electronic informationabout the second sub-entity having no lawsuits, and electronicconfirmation of the second sub-entity's identity and geographiclocation,  a third sub-entity has a third level of certification that isbased analyzing third electronic information about the third sub-entityhaving positive reviews in addition to a quantity of complaints below aparticular threshold, no information on past lawsuits, and confirmationof the third sub-entity's identity and geographic location,  wherein,the first level of certification is the lowest level of certificationand the third level of certification is the highest level ofcertification; and sending another electronic communication that themultiple sub-entities are certified.
 2. The electronic communicationsmethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the device, arequest for electronic information about certified electronic entities;determining that there are certified electronic entities; and sending athird electronic communication that indicates the certified electronicentities; and electronically communication electronic tokens associatedwith the certified electronic entities.
 3. The electronic communicationsmethod of claim 2, where the certified electronic entities have beencertified based on a score that is below a threshold level, and wherethe score is based on the certified electronic entities being associatedwith a single geographic location.
 4. The electronic communicationsmethod of claim 2, where the certified electronic entities have beencertified based on a score that is above a threshold level, and wherethe score is based on the certified electronic entities being associatedwith multiple geographic locations.
 5. The electronic communicationsmethod of claim 1, where the authentication certificate is generated byanalyzing an electronic entity's previous electronic transactions anddetermining a percentage of the previous electronic transactions thatare above or below a threshold percentage level.
 6. The electroniccommunications method of claim 1, where the authentication certificateis electronically displayable as a hyperlink on an electronicapplication.
 7. The electronic communications method of claim 1, wherethe device further displays non-certified electronic entities that areassociated with the particular electronic entity.
 8. The electroniccommunications method of claim 1, further comprising: analyzing, by thedevice, additional electronic information in real time; and notre-certifying, by the device, the electronic authentication certificate.9. The electronic communications method of claim 1, where the electronicauthentication certificate is associated with a physical building, andfurther comprising: generating another authentication certificate for asecond entity, where the second entity is not associated with a physicalbuilding, where the other authentication certificate is different thanthe electronic authentication certificate.
 10. The electroniccommunications method of claim 8, where the analyzing the additionalelectronic information in real time further comprises: analyzing, by thedevice, real-time pricing information, analyzing, by the device,real-time product information, and where the re-certifying theelectronic authentication certificate further comprises: re-certifying,by the device, the electronic authentication certificate based onanalyzing the real-time pricing information and the real-time productinformation.
 11. The electronic communications method of claim 1, wherethe electronic authentication certificate is only valid for a segmenttime.
 12. The electronic communications method of claim 1, where theelectronic information includes: review information, on-time shippingstatistics, and number of employees.
 13. The electronic communicationsmethod of claim 4, where the score is based on a 100% probability thatthe particular electronic entity provides a particular product.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: each of the sub-entities are electronicentities that are companies that make up the different electronicentity; and the certification of the electronic entity and the differentelectronic entity are based on a value associated with the threshold,wherein features of the electronic entity and the different electronicentity are compared to the value and not to each other.
 15. A device,comprising: a processor, to: receive electronic information, theelectronic information including: on-time shipping information, employeeinformation, and geographic information; analyze the electronicinformation; assign a score based on the analysis of the electronicinformation; compare the score to a threshold value; and authenticate anelectronic entity based on comparing the score to the threshold value;generate an electronic certificate based on the authentication of theelectronic entity; receive additional electronic information for adifferent electronic entity; determine the different electronic entityconsists of multiple sub-entities, wherein each of the multiplesub-entities are companies, wherein the multiple sub-entities include afirst sub-entity, a second sub-entity, and a third sub-entity; analyzethe additional electronic information; certify some of the multiplesub-entities based on analyzing the additional electronic information,wherein the certifying: is based on reaching a particular thresholdvalue, and is not based on comparing different sub-entities to othersub-entities in a ranking; wherein:  a first sub-entity has a firstlevel of certification that is based on the existence of the firstsub-entity and a geographic location of the first sub-entity,  a secondsub-entity has a second level of certification that is based on thesecond sub-entity having no lawsuits, and electronic confirmation of thesecond sub-entity's identity and geographic location,  a thirdsub-entity has a third level of certification that is based on the thirdsub-entity having positive reviews in addition to a quantity ofcomplaints below a particular threshold, no information on pastlawsuits, and confirmation of the third sub-entity's identity andgeographic location,  wherein, the first level of certification is thelowest level of certification and the third level of certification isthe highest level of certification; and send another electroniccommunication that the multiple sub-entities are certified.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the processor is further to: receiveadditional electronic information; analyze the additional electronicinformation; assign another score based on the analysis of theadditional electronic information, the other score being different thanthe score based on: the geographic information within the electronicinformation and other geographic information within the additionalelectronic information, the additional electronic information notincluding a 100% probability that a product is electronicallycommunicated by an additional electronic entity and the electronicinformation including a 100% probability that another product iselectronically communication by the electronic entity; analyze the otherscore at a later time based on analyzing real-time electronicinformation of price information and product information; and determinewhether to increase or decrease the other score based on the analyzingof the real-time information of the price information and the productinformation.
 17. The device of claim 16, where a first electronic tokenis associated with the electronic entity and a second electronic tokenis associated with the additional electronic entity.
 18. The device ofclaim 15, where the electronic certificate is valid for a particularperiod of time and additional validation includes additional analysis ofnew electronic information associated with the electronic entity. 19.The device of claim 18, where the electronic certificate has a level ofcertification that is different from other levels of certification,where the level of certification and the other levels of certificationare based on: geographic location, number of employees, and name.